9452407 Coler The proposed project will establish a CAD Lab for the Drafting and Design Program as well as the Electronics, Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Automation/Robotics. Students will benefit significantly from increased learning opportunities due to three key aspects of the project; (1) advanced computer aided design capabilities, (2) the networking of computers, and (3) the interdisciplinary laboratory experiments. The equipment requested, fifteen (15) 80486DX33 System Unit computers, fifteen (15) Autocad Rel 12 software packages, Softdesk software, and Novell Network software will be utilized with current equipment to establish a drafting and design laboratory capable of replicating advanced industry level design experiences. In the CAD Lab, students will be able to solve problems related to manufacturing tolerancing, part fit, and dimensioning factors which cannot be taught with manual or two-dimensional techniques due to the tedious, repetitive nature of those methods. Students will spend more of their time on problem solving and projects requiring critical analysis and utilization of design principles. Networking the equipment will increase each student's access to design information and enhance opportunities for teamwork in the design process. In addition, the project proposes innovative experiments, incorporating equipment from other related programs, that offer students the opportunity for interdisciplinary cooperation in the production process. Thus, the proposed laboratory improvement would both upgrade the education of technical students in the disciplines affected by the project and prepare a model for interdisciplinary curricula for other colleges.
